In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

38:1 Sad . By the renowned Quran, nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.

38:3-11 How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape! And they marvel that a warner from among themselves has come to them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan. Makes he the gods One God? Lo! That is an astounding thing. The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! This is a thing designed. We have not heard of this in later religion. This is nothing but an invention. Has the reminder been revealed to him (alone) among us? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My punishment. Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower? Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs? Then let them ascend by ropes! A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.

38:12-16 The folk of Noah before them denied (their Messenger) and (so did the tribe of) Aad, and Pharaoh firmly planted, and (the tribe of) Thamud; and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions. Not one of them but did deny the Messengers, therefore My punishment was justified, these wait for but one shout, there will be no second thereto. They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.

38:17-20 Have patience with what they say, and remember Our bondsman David, lord of might. Lo! He was ever turning in repentance (toward God). Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, and the birds assembled; all were turning to Him. We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.

38:21-26 And has the story of the litigants come to you? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber; how they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said Be not afraid (We are) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge aright between us; be not unjust; and guide us to the fair way. Lo! This brother of mine has ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech. (David) said: He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! Many partners oppress one another, except such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented. So We forgave him that; and lo! He had access to Us and a happy journey"s end. (And it was said to him): O David! Lo! We have set you as a viceroy in the earth; therefore judge aright between people, and follow not desire that it deceive you from the way of God. Lo! Those who wander from the way of God have an awful punishment, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.

38:27 And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe to those who disbelieve, from the Fire!

38:28 Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked?

38:29 (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed to you, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.

38:30-40 And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! He was ever turning in repentance (toward God). When there were shown to him at eventide light-footed coursers and he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain. (Then he said:) Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks. And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent. He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me kingdom such shall not belong to any after me. Lo! You are the Bestower. So We made the wind subservient to him, setting fair by his command wherever he intended. And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient), and others linked together in chains, (saying:) This is Our gift, so bestow you, or withhold, without reckoning. And lo! He has favor with Us, and a happy journey"s end.

38:41-44 And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried to his Lord (saying): Lo! Satan does afflict me with distress and torment. (And it was said to him:) Strike the ground with your foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink. And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding. And (it was said to him): Take in your hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not your oath. Lo! We found him patient, how excellent a slave! Lo! He was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).

38:45-47 And make mention of our bondsmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision. Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter). Lo! In Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.

38:48-49 And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhul-Kifl. All are of the chosen. This is a reminder. And lo! For the pious is a happy journey"s end.

38:50-55 Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them. Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein. And with them are those of modest gaze, companions. This it is that you are promised for the Day of Reckoning. Lo! This in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away. This (is for the righteous). And lo! For the transgressors there will be an evil journey"s end.

38:56-59 Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting place. Here is a boiling and an ice-cold draught, so let them taste it, and other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)! Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say:) No word of welcome for them. Lo! They will roast at the Fire.

38:60-64 They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. You prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now evil is the plight. They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh; give him double portion of the Fire! And they say: What ails us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked? Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing stock, or have our eyes missed them? Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.

38:65 Say (to them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and none should be worshipped but God alone, the One, the Absolute,

38:66 Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.

38:67-70 Say: It is tremendous tidings whence you turn away! I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed; it is revealed to me only that I may be a plain warner.

38:71-74 When your Lord said to the angels: lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire, and when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down before him prostrate, the angels fell down prostrate, every one. Except Iblis, he was arrogant and became one of the disbelievers.

38:75-85 He said: O Iblis! What hinders you from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands? Are you too proud or are you of the high exalted? He said: I am better than him. You created me of fire, while him You did create of clay. He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! You are outcast, and lo! My curse is on you till the Day of Judgment. He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the Day when they are raised. He said: Lo! You are of those reprieved until the day of the time appointed. He said: Then, by Your might, I surely will deceive them every one, except Your single-minded slaves among them. He said: The truth is, and the truth I speak, that I shall fill Hell with you and with such of them as follow you, together.

38:86-88 Say (O Muhammad to people): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no impostor. Lo! It is nothing else than a reminder for all peoples. And you will come in time to know the truth thereof.